Make It Happen is the next film to arrive out of the recent trend of
dance-until-your-dreams-come-true feel-good flicks but interlaced
within the subtext is a frighteningly appealing mistruth.

Make It Happen is just the type of overly commercial and
hyper-sentimentalized film that inspires young fame seekers to
follow their dreams, arguably, to their peril. What might be most
problematic about Make It Happen, in addition to its recycled theme,
is the film’s friendly dishonesty.

The film attempts to tell a tale of a hard-knock life, but in
reality the majority of the films woes are brought upon itself.
While the young, tragic, female protagonist of Make It Happen ends
up dancing in a burlesque club after being rejected from one of the
most prestigious dance schools in America, somehow she is cushioned
from exploitation by an extraordinarily giving and supportive cast
of players.

The only redeeming quality is the energetic dance sequences, which
increase in choreographic dynamism before, of course, reaching a
climax toward the end of the film. The well-staged dance routines
are reminiscent of a Broadway musical and several even pay homage to
the respectable tradition of burlesque dance.

Unfortunately, what could have been an original twist to the same
old story becomes a lesson for our female protagonist on being more
feminine – a skill she apparently must acquire before the Chicago
School of Music and Dance will allow her dreams to come true.

Despite some high points, Make It Happen is sub-textually
problematic, focusing perhaps on marketability rather than message.
What we are left with is an unoriginal film with some impressive
dance choreography.